Wednesday, August 23, 2017

We are officially one year old! Therefore we would like to take this time to share with you our experiences, the trials and tribulations, and some harsh truths that we have encountered throughout our journey.

We were in Nashville here! Sometime the best photos are the ones you don't plan -- we love this pic!

Over the past few years social media has become one of the biggest advertising markets. Blogging, Instagramming, and Tweeting are all avenues that have taken over the fashion industry, the food industry, and even traveling. Due to the high demand of this market, it is really difficult to find your niche, stand out, and become relevant in a market that is so heavily saturated. When we started this blog, we understood that our success and popularity was not going to be over night. However, we did not think it would be as difficult as it has been to be find ourselves in such a popular market.

The biggest challenge has been finding the right marketing service to really help dive into our careers as bloggers. We had a vision when we started and realized that sometimes that vision needs to be changed but at the same time we need to stay true to ourselves and not get overwhelmed with being perfect. Working with companies, such as NJ SEO Services can really help to develop your blog and get the traffic it deserves. When we started this blog, we were convinced that just putting quality content out there and sharing it with both of our extended networks, eventually someone would notice us. However, that has not been the case. NJ SEO Services is a digital marketing agency in both New Jersey and Georgia. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which translates to where you come up in the search engine. From experience, we can both that we have hardly gone past the second page in a Google search, so why would anyone else? Dan Anton and Matt Anton started this company with the experience and care behind them to truly create a marketing agency with their customers image in mind. Just one click on their website and reading some of the testimonials by those who have worked with both Dan and Matt truly is inspiring. This company keeps the customer in mind and works with them to create a website that will generate the right type of traffic and keep up with the demands of their competitors. In the heavily saturated online market, NJ SEO Services works with their customers rather than for them to ensure a product that is reflective of the creator but can stand up to their competitors.

In addition with finding the right marketing agency, staying focused and taking time out to decompress are also really good tips to not becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. Recently, we began doing yoga classes to mellow out and find our zen. I was never a huge fan of yoga because I felt the need to feel like I was working out rather than just stretching but Hot Yoga is extremely helpful and really feels like more than just stretching. I feel totally connected to my body, relaxed, and recharged. It has become something that really helps to destress and find focus. Because this market really puts your own self image out for the public to see, finding something that allows you to feel good about yourself and focused on just relaxing is really the only way to find success. Being present in our own lives and not just the ones we create online is truly the best way to recharge.

In addition to taking time out to recharge and focusing on yourself, spending time with family and friends is crucial. Lucky for us, we are friends and a lot of our content comes from time spent together. However, taking a break from answering emails, responding to social media comments, commenting on posts, and posting in general, really allows for some of the best content to be created organically. For example, this picture below was taking after running a million errands together and heading to an appointment together, we stopped at a little local cafe for lunch. We had been trying so hard to get to Heartbeat Kitchen for lunch and finally found a random day to go! We were not planning this, it wasn't something we thought would make a great picture for our blog, but it turned out to be an amazing and post-worthy experience!

Finally, taking time out to be yourself and experience life organically makes the best posts and memories. This past weekend, I was with family down the shore celebrating our cousins birthday and I was completing disconnected from my blogging life and came home Sunday night recharged and ready to tackle the week. Sometimes focusing on what you need rather than what yourblog needs allows you to spark some natural creativity. It works the same with writing. Sometimes the best way to tackle writers block is to step away and experience life rather than stressing about what your next post will be or how you didn't post anything that day. Sometimes when we stress about how we look online or what if this post doesn't get as many likes, we end up with content that we settled for or is too staged and planned. This is probably one of the best pictures I have taken and it was completely unplanned, with my brother, and its genuine.

Even the one of the founders of NJ SEO Services takes time out of his busy schedule to spend time with his young daughter. Just a simple reminder to all of us to sometimes pause and enjoy the small fleeting moments in our lives.

Matt Anton pictured with his daughter

Remembering why we started this blog, what we hope to accomplish, and that we are here to inspire and give insights to is something that we need to keep remembering. We are not perfect, life is not perfect, we don't always look our best, or eat our best but people want something that is real and not something that is staged for a post. We still enjoy Chick fil A once in a while or even just lounging in our yoga pants and hoodies. When we started this journey we wanted to stay true to who we are and what we stand for and luckily a year later, none of that has changed.

Always remember to keep your focus, make a plan, deviate from that plan if it makes sense at the time, enjoy your coffee, do your research, and be YOU. Never lose sight of your purpose for an Instagram like or a sponsored blog post. Stay true to you and success will come.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

I have been waiting to wear this outfit for MONTHS now and finally decided to just go for it! I usually get so nervous wearing white pants because I spill everything all the time. However, I did it and they're still white!!

Anyway, these white pants are by Hue and I got them at Nordstrom. A fun fact, they're, LEGGINGS that look and feel just like denim but stretch and fit like leggings. I have them in a few other styles because they're that comfortable. Also, this chambray top is so cute and versatile. I love it with the white because I feel like the blue just pops. It is such a summery outfit that I might just keep repeating it every time its not sweltering outside. I am linking everything at the bottom of this post so you can just click and order away!

Finally, for all my fellow teachers out there who read this blog, HAPPY SUMMER! You all deserve a much needed break away from students and grading. I know I am looking forward to no more alarms and getting to drink coffee and eat on my own time! Cheers and enjoy!

What is every one's plan for summer? I am headed to Nashville next week for my best friend's bachelorette! Anyone have any MUST sees for us?? I am super stoked!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

I found this top at Nordstrom the other day, shocker I know, and I loved the color and lace scalloped detail! It is so light weight and very girly. I fell in love as soon as I put it on!

I decided to style it with these ripped "jeans" that are actually leggings! They have pockets and everything and they're soooo comfy.

As far as accessories go, my Tory Burch sandals (a summer MUST), teal tassel earrings from Sugarfix, and this amazing Henri Bendel clutch that is one of my summer obsessions. The fun thing about this clutch is that it is actually a cosmetic case that I just use as a clutch. LOL. It was just tooo cute to pass up!

What are your summer favorites? I am stocking up for some trips I have planned and would LOVE to see what everyone is loving right now.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Spring has arrived !! Thank goodness it is no longer cold and dreary. In keeping with the spring theme I have put together the BEST spring tops of the season. All courtesy of Nordstrom and are the perfect tops for Spring and Summer. Some of these I own (1, 2, 3, 6, and 7) and the other two are definitely on my "Must Buy" list.

1. Such a cute peplum tank and has almost a chambray feel to it! I can't wait to pair it with jeans and shorts for a perfect casual Saturday

2. I love the peplum clearly! Also, I have this top in the gray-black color and it goes slightly off the shoulder at times because its a little oversized. I want to live in it. It is sooo comfy and effortlessly cute. Just the perfect feel for spring.

3. This tank !!! I wore it shopping the other day (check insta for how I styled it) and I got sooo many compliments on it! It is so cute, flowy, and very comfy.

4. This top is seriously the cutest and comes in several colors ands styles. This pastel pattern is my favorite though. I love the cold-shoulder look because it is so effortless, cute, and slightly sexy.

5. This shirt combines the basic t-shirt and the tank into one cute style. There are so many colors, I want them all! Perfect to wear with jeans or over a bathing suit.

6. This off the shoulder top is perfect for the season. I have the black but I also really want the lilac color... clearly I just want my shoulders out all spring/summer. I love this trend!

7. Last but not least, a closet staple. This basic white tank is perfect for just throwing on with jeans or shorts and goes well with literally everything! I am slightly obsessed!

What are some of your spring/summer go-to styles? Let us know in the comments!! Happy Spring!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

We braved the cold and excessive wind to get these pictures done! Only because, how cute is this cold shoulder top?! I couldn't wait to share it with you guys! I am obsessed with the high neck and the ruffles too! This shirt is so versatile and looks great dressed up or down. I might have to order it in the other colors... LOL

How was everyone's weekend? I was down the shore all weekend because the weather was so nice here! However, back to reality this week with the temperatures. I am dreaming of spring/summer days.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Well according to the groundhog, officially six more weeks of winter. In efforts to speed up winter and get to spring, I have put together some new pieces that are MUST haves for the season.

All of these items are the perfect staples for spring and summer and I can't wait to style them all!

1. These baubles !! They come in multiple colors and are just such so perfect for Spring/Summer. I may or may not have to order several different colors.

2. This cross body from Henri Bendel just SCREAMS spring/summer. I love the white bag with the blue and orange colored stripes. It feels very nautical and classic.

3. These BP block heeled sandals are just the perfect way to dress up any spring outfit. Again, these come in a few colors but I just loved the greenish gray!

4. Nude lips are back in season! I can't wait to have a sun-kissed glow and the nude color in this MAC set in Velvet Teddy isn't the same color as my lips! Ha! Nude lips with a nice beach glow are such an amazing look. I even think it makes you look tanner!

5. Another bauble I am obsessed with! How cute are these pom-poms!? I also love the colors, they're the perfect spring pastels.

6. I love Spring scarves. Don't get me wrong, fall is scarf season. But there is something about a plain white tee and a brighter scarf in the Spring. It feels just very bright and springy while still staying a little warmer in the cooler Spring months.

7. This cold shoulder top... all the heart eyes! It comes in six other colors and I want them all! I personally am most excited about this top. It can dress up any casual outfit and it'll look so great with ripped jeans and heels.

8. Finally, my favorite shoe of the season. I bought my first pair last summer in the Sand Patent and I am 99.9% sure I wore them every day and they still look brand new! So, I ordered a new pair in the black leather. I can't wait to wear them!

What are some of your favorite spring styles?! We'd love to hear them!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

So for those of you who know me, understand that I cannot live without my agenda or my lists. Sometimes, I am annoyingly organized and I over plan everything. Therefore, I wanted to share with you some of my tips and tricks that work for me and keep my sane on my day to day life.

I am currently a full-time high school teacher, a part-time grad student, and a blogger. Therefore, staying organized is something that is a must in my life.

Tip One:Invest in an agenda that works for YOU. This comes with trial and error. I've had numerous agendas before falling in love with my Lilly Pulitzer agenda! The prints are so fun and summery, and the weekly layout is has plenty of space for all my daily checklists. Also, a new recent trend that I want to try is bullet journaling. My best friend created her own Agenda layout and customized what she wanted her planner to look like through this method. There are so many links on Pinterest to various bullet journaling tricks. I am just not sure I can be that neat and creative and I would be frustrated if the lines weren't straight and even. I am weird, I know.

Tip Two: Figure out the purpose for your agenda. Will you be using this agenda to organize your day to day appointments? Will you be using this agenda to map out trips or work related elements? Will you being using this agenda for everything? If you're like me, you will use it for everything. I use my agenda for work, school, and my personal life. I put in my assignments, things going on within work, and trips I have planned. I also make to-do lists on the side of each monthly overview.

Tip Three: Once you figure out your purpose for you agenda, begin to place things within your agenda. The picture is above is from the beginning of the school year. I put my grad class in, I put when I was starting to teach again, and also various meetings for the first week back. I usually go through and color-code each element. I'll outline each "type" of appointment in a different color. For work, I outline it in blue highlighter, because our school colors are blue and white. For personal life, I usually use purple because its my favorite color. For grad school, I usually use yellow because it seems academic to me. Now with this blog, I'll highlight it in green (still trying to find a teal highlighter!). Therefore, using these color clues helps me to quickly glance at what my weekly overview looks like. I am a visual personal, so this helps me to map out my week/month.

Tip Four: Make lists. You can make these write in your agenda or in a separate notebook. I utilize both because I am neurotic. I'll make shorter "to-do" lists in my agenda and longer more detailed lists, for an event or party in another notebook. I always make check-boxes next to each item on my list so I can check it off once its completed. Making that simple check mark, makes me feel so accomplished for the day!

Tip Five: Don't get overwhelmed. If you're feeling pressured figure out a calming solution. I enjoy drinking coffee, it wakes me up and prepares me for the day. Sometimes I find myself drinking multiple cups during a longer or more stressful day. However, some people enjoy tea to calm them down. Whatever works for you, use it! It sometimes feels stressful to map out your weeks and months, so having a stress-reliever or a calming solution is always helpful! Sometimes, after work I have wine to reduce my stress. It's healthy right?!

Tip Six: Finally, make friends with labels and post-it notes. I always am jotting down lists on post-its and sticking it in my agenda and I label everything! It helps keep me organized everywhere. It also makes my routines go much quicker when everything has a place and its easy to find.

I hope the tips helped you! I know its seems like a lot of information and it is hard to get started. However, once you find out what works best for you, it will change your life! I hope these tips helped or at least motivated you to try something new and begin the organized lifestyle.

Hi Everyone! We are Talia and Mary Kate and we are Meals in Heels. We are here to give you our best tips, inspirations, and advice on looking your best and eating your best. We are combining our love for good and healthy food as well as amazing fashion and accessories. We are just two best friends sharing our adventures with our readers!